CGP Grey
5 HN recommenders · recommended in 12 months, 2012–2026
4:29 · 3.1M views · Sep 26, 2011
CGP Grey explains Mixed-Member Proportional representation, the system used in New Zealand where voters get two votes. It covers how it differs from first-past-the-post.
It is the go-to short explainer HN links when voting system alternatives, MMP or German-style elections come up.
14 comments from Hacker News
Germany uses mixed-member proportional representation. You cast two votes in each Federal election: one vote for a registered political party at the federal level and one vote for among a list of local candidates from those parties. The ballots famously have the phrase "You have 2 voices/votes" ("Sie haben 2 Stimmen") on the top [1]. The seats in the Bundestag are parceled out in proportion to shares of the national vote among federally recognized parties, and each party has a list of candidates who may or may not get a seat from that party's resulting allotment, based in part on the popularity of those candidates in their local list elections. The math of it is a bit more complicated than that, but it works quite well to completely sidestep the gerrymandering problem. The flipside is that parties must be registered federally to participate, and this gives the government a great deal of implicit power to exclude parties it doesn't like. CGP Grey has a good YouTube video explaining it, probably better than I have here [2]. [1]: [LINK] [2]: this video
Elections are supposed to be bloodless revolutions. If you can't effect change through the electoral system, then the non violent solution is to revolutionize how we vote. Relevant videos (IMO) First Past The Post Voting - [LINK] Range Voting - [LINK] Single Transferable Vote - [LINK] Alternative Vote - [LINK] Mixed-Member Proportional Representation - this video Bonus video This video will make you angry - [LINK]
New Zealand has mixed member proportional representation, which is explained well in this video: this video The US's political system is extremely antiquated, and is not at all appropriate for a post-industrial economy. We do have a few nice things though, like a very strong protection for speech. Arguably too strong right now though, as it gives corporations nearly unlimited rights to influence elections.
Elections were (IMO) meant to be bloodless revolutions. its just the 1% has captured both primary political parties. Also, the flawed first past the post electoral system discourages competition (IMO to keep it cheaper for the 1% to own the whole process). I'll post some videos from people smarter then me: [LINK] [LINK] [LINK] [LINK] [LINK] this video
New Zealand uses Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting. IMO, it's the most representative voting system, precisely because it encourages smaller parties, and essentially forces coalitions. It's a bit complicated, but people are very used to it now. CGP Grey has a great video on it this video